Bangor / Maine -

Hundreds of new Maine commuters have connected with GO Maine through its Facebook page, blog and other media and its award winning "GO MAINE Nation" campaign

BANGOR ‚Äď The GO MAINE commuter assistance program and its marketing team Buxton Communications and Engine 5 Design received the 2010 TDM Creative Excellence Award from the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Patriot Chapter.

The GO MAINE Nation campaign was chosen from entries submitted by programs across New England. The campaign, which included a variety of media including Facebook, YouTube, radio and print advertising, was created by marketing and graphics consultants Buxton Communications and Engine 5 Advertising & Design.

‚ÄúThe judging committee said they really loved this campaign, its humor and how it commuters got to tell their stories,‚ÄĚ said Kish. ‚ÄúMost importantly, it was successful and brought hundreds of new commuters into the program.‚ÄĚ

The campaign was launched in October 2009 and urged commuters to help ‚Äústart a commuter revolution‚ÄĚ and join other Mainers who carpool, vanpool, ride transit, walk and bike to work. It featured a series of humorous videos with commuters telling their stories about how GO MAINE has helped them save money, reduce their carbon footprint and find new friends. Videos also explained GO MAINE‚Äôs park & ride and Emergency Ride Home program.

The GO MAINE Nation marketing campaign resulted in a seven percent increase in the commuters enrolled in GO MAINE‚Äôs free commuter services and a tripling of traffic on the organization‚Äôs web site.

ACT is international organization with chapters throughout North America. ACT supports individual mobility management professionals and organizational members in their efforts to reduce traffic congestion, conserve energy and improve air quality.

GO MAINE is Maine‚Äôs statewide commuter service providing access to healthy, economical and eco-friendly options for commuting to and from work. Program services include carpool ridematching, express vanpools,
public transit, walking and bicycle commuting information, the Emergency Ride Home Guarantee and coordination of the annual Commute Another Way Week commuter awareness event. GO MAINE is administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments and sponsored by the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority.

Buxton Communications is a full-service marketing firm based in Portland with more than 20 years of experience in public relations, advertising and marketing strategies for public, non-profit and corporate clients. Engine 5 Design is based in South Portland and specializes in branding and graphic design.

For more information about GO MAINE, visit www.gomaine.org, www.facebook/gomaine or call 1-800-280-RIDE.